On Saturday, the association "Russia of the Future - Switzerland" brought dozens of supporters to the streets of Geneva and Zurich. This movement, comprised of Russians living in Switzerland and Russian-speaking citizens of the Confederation, advocates for an immediate end to the war, the release of all political prisoners and POWs, the cessation of persecution against Russians for their anti-war stance and criticism of the regime, and the removal of President Putin from power.
"We gathered here at the Geneva Square of Nations because these days mark the 10th anniversary of Boris Nemtsov's assassination in Moscow, because we have lived for a year without Alexei Navalny, who died in prison, and because we are entering the fourth year of Russia's war in Ukraine", stated one of the organizers, Ekaterina.
The rally took place the day after a heated exchange in front of cameras around the world between the President and Vice President of the United States and the Ukrainian leader, after which Volodymyr Zelensky left Washington, putting the signing of an agreement between the two countries and, more broadly, further assistance to Kyiv in jeopardy.
In response to a question from RTS journalist, about whether it was unrealistic to demand Putin's resignation in the squares of European and American cities (similar actions took place that same day in Berlin, Krakow, London, and New York) after Trump effectively gave the Russian president a free hand, Maya, another participant in the movement, stated: "Putin is an illegitimate president. In recent years, he has won elections by physically eliminating competitors, starting with Boris Nemtsov. As is known, shortly before his assassination, Nemtsov was gathering information for a report in which he intended to reveal the true intentions of the Kremlin's master, who was already preparing for war against Ukraine back in 2014".
In this context, the symbolic support for the "Russia of the Future" rally is particularly significant, said Geneva's Green Party mayor Alfonso Gomez, who was present at the Square of Nations. According to him, the city is striving to do everything possible so that both Ukrainians and Russians—opponents of the war and Putin—can find refuge here.
"Having been in power for over a decade, Putin has failed to deliver his nation’s dream; instead, he has given it war by invading an independent state. Behind Putin stands the silent Russian people, who, I am sure, have much to offer the world beyond bloodshed and barbarism", declared another Green Party deputy, Nicolas Valder.
Participants in the demonstration in Geneva called on Swiss authorities to halt economic relations with Putin's regime; to use all available diplomatic leverage to secure the release of political prisoners and POWs languishing in Russia; and to join the comprehensive sanctions regime of the European Union and the United Kingdom against human rights violators.
Nicolas Valder criticized the recent decision by federal authorities to cut "international aid" spending in the 2025 budget while creating a special "support fund for Ukraine." "Two needs are clashing head-on", he stated.
Ordinary Swiss people are generous towards Ukrainians; they stand for peace, said Darjo, a representative of the SSP-VPOD civil servants' union. In his view, major Swiss businesses, traders, and banks, which continue to trade with the Russian Federation through shell companies despite sanctions, are interested in prolonging the war. "The more Ukraine is leveled to the ground, the more they will fill their pockets on the recovery", he asserted.
Participants of the rally, Olga and Tatiana, reminded that Russians "are not silent," but their slightest forms of protest are "brutally suppressed." According to OVD-Info, over three years of the invasion of Ukraine, there are 1,190 individuals involved in criminal anti-war cases in Russia, with 368 people currently in pre-trial detention, correctional colonies, or undergoing forced treatment. Among them are children and teenagers: 15-year-old Valery Zaitsev, 16-year-old Arseniy Turbin, and 17-year-old Yegor Bazaleykin.
It was not possible to ascertain the opinion of the Russian authorities, whose representation is located just a hundred meters from the Square of Nations. As the mayor of Geneva noted, Russian officials never attend such demonstrations. The suddenly malfunctioning microphone reminded everyone of Moscow's unseen presence: "The representation is unhappy with what we are saying, - joked Nicolas Valder. - They decided to use their seven most powerful antennas, four of which did not receive permission".